Just to the west of us is a plateau that is perfect for tea growing - soil, elevation, humidity and sunshine all work in its favour. For us, it is an absolutely beautiful bike ride up and around and back down, allowing us to play in the tea fields, stop by a wonderful tea and coffee shop (it is also a wonderful coffee growing area, but this is a rather new crop - in the 10's of years old - so while it produces some of the best coffee I have ever tasted, it is known mainly for its tea) and poke around the back roads of the foothills.
Today we took what will most likely be our last trip through Wuhe. We leave in less than a fortnight, and as today was Dragon Boat Festival we both had a holiday and decided to make a day of it...to say goodbye and to drink to our hearts content at the tea shop. So, as we awoke to the beaming sunshine and took to the road, our minds were both in the "ahh, this is amazing" mindset as well as the "aww, this will be the last time I see you, Wuhe" mindset. Regardless, a perfect day on the bikes, a nice way to part company.
But, as soon as we got on the road, not more than 100m from our doorstep, I realized that I forgot something very important. My helmet. Then I realized that my rear tire was nearing flat status...so, teamwork...Crystal to the rescue for my helmet and me on my knees pumping life back into my tire. Moments later, we were on our way....
We rode and rode, through the rice fields, along the road, up the hill and reached the tea shops of all tea shops. We were welcomed by a familiar voice calling out "you want me to grind you some coffee beans?".
No, not this time. We want tea....lost of it....give us all you got! We took to the patio, overlooking the valley below and the coffee trees and drank ourselves silly with tea. Ok, two glasses each. But they were big. And tastey. And free. When we tried to pay, she insisted that they were on her and that we enjoy our day.
Ok.
And we were off....
Through the tea fields, with the ladies hard at work picking the best and the youngest leaves that we will, no doubt, someday drink.
To a few scenic stops...
And the necessary stop by the curiously worded sign.....
...then the marker for the Tropic of Cancer. Dissecting the island almost in two, there are three markers for it. Of the two that we are near, this one is totally the nicest. And in the nicest area. And as the official start of summer approaches, this little marker will gets its yearly moment of fame...soon enough....
Then all the way home, past the corn and peanuts being dried in the afternoon sun and through the rice fields back to the front steps of our house, where it all started.
Our goodbye ride to Wuhe complete, we turn to packing up the abode.
